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In my view, Google's acquisition of Nest is a very good sign for the home performance industry. Why? Because the underlying math that had to have been Google's calculus for justifying a $3.2 billion valuation is fundamentally the same as that which drives home performance. Let me explain.[continue reading]

A few weeks ago I was performing a two-day Company Overview for Reliable Air Conditioning in Jasper, AL. When I arrived I was introduced to the office staff , including two individuals who focused on nothing but telemarketing. That immediately got my attention. Few trades companies utilize a telemarketing program. Telemarketing can be irritating when total strangers are called; however, when utilized on one's current customer base, it can be very effective.[continue reading]

I was reviewing an article in Home Energy by Steve Mann that came out in the January/February issue (“DOE’s Challenge Home,” p. 6). He wrote on the latest iteration of DOE’s Challenge Home Program. Steve points out, in his usual insightful and articulate way, what he sees as the strengths and weakness of this program. I hope you’ve read it, or will read it. Send us your ...[continue reading]

One of the biggest developments in the U.S. residential solar photovoltaic (PV) market over the past few years has been the significant growth of residential solar PV systems not owned by homeowners. These are often referred to as third-party-owned systems.[continue reading]

The age-old question of “what will I be when I grow up?” can be a dark and dreary segue into the unknown for today’s young adults. They face challenges of unprecedented magnitude. A weak job market coupled with a wide income gap, social disparities, volatile swings in government policy, and waning municipal and state budgets generate far more questions than answers.[continue reading]

On November 1, 2013, Home Energy began its 30th year in existence. The storytelling will begin officially in our January/February 2014 issue, when, along with a lot of new content and some new features, we reprise an article from our first issue—on the energy efficient use of water beds! Unofficially, the storytelling has already begun. Home Energy began in an office at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a few years ago we moved our shop ...[continue reading]

As the clock counts down to 2014, you might be thinking about ways to generate more business in the new year. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners have learned that word of mouth is one of the strongest communication channels to drive demand for energy efficiency upgrades. If you’re interested in upgrading your marketing approach, you might want to consider a new year’s resolution or two ...[continue reading]

Many homeowners want their homes to be as energy efficient as possible, but many also struggle to identify the best ways to achieve that goal. All too often contractors are called to a home to address an issue that may only be part of a home’s efficiency issues. When speaking with clients about the best ways to improve the overall energy integrity of homes, one of the best places to start is with ...[continue reading]

“Weatherization Drives New Technology and the Home Performance Industry,” hosted by NASCSP, brought a full house of movers and shakers to the White House to demonstrate WAP’s technical innovations, leadership in the home performance industry, and role as a go-to partner for utility and other partnership projects. Brad Penney, on behalf of NASCSP, opened the event and thanked the White House for the opportunity to showcase the Weatherization Assistance Program. With ...[continue reading]

Weatherization product and service suppliers were well represented at Weatherization Drives New Technology and the Home Performance Industry, the White House event hosted by the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) on December 9th. Results of the event will help in our campaign to persuade Congress to increase Weatherization funding in 2014. For those in attendance as well as those who watched from afar via live stream, we thank you. The event generated more ...[continue reading]